Sunday, March 27, 2016

From NASA: "On August 20, 1975, Viking 1 was launched by a Titan/Centaur rocket from
Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 5:22 p.m.
EDT to begin a half-billion mile, 11-month journey through space to
explore Mars. The 4-ton spacecraft went into orbit around the red planet
in mid-1976." Photo Credit: NASA

This itty-bitty version doesn't do it justice, but in my estimation, this is one of the most spectacular launch photos of all time (for a larger hi-resolution version, check out this link). The Titan IIIE/Centaur, THE magnificent launch vehicle of the mid-1970s, is seen here lofting one of the decade's iconic spacecraft on course for an unprecedented journey to Mars. In addition, the summer-y, late afternoon pastel colors and Florida palm trees are nice aesthetic touches.